NY Knicks: 3 Centers the team should trade for at Thursday’s Deadline
By James Ryder
Should the NY Knicks target Brook Lopez?
While Mike Muscala wouldn’t add much beyond shooting, Brook Lopez has a bit more to offer.
The 13-year NBA veteran has only played one game this season but has proved serviceable in his role with the Milwaukee Bucks since 2018.
Lopez has shot 33.9% from three on 5 attempts per game in his prior three seasons combined.
It is definitely not as impressive as Muscala, or many other shooters in the league for that matter, but for a 7-footer that’s pretty good.
In addition to his shooting prowess, Lopez has helped bolster the Bucks defense, which has been among the league’s best in his time there.
Lopez averaged 1.5 blocks last season and over 2 blocks per game during the 2018-19 and 19-20 seasons.
Lastly, Lopez has never been much of a rebounder. So basically, Lopez is Nerlens Noel with a jump shot.
Speaking of him, the Bucks could be interested in flipping Lopez for Noel in a deal.
Milwaukee could use a center badly right now. The Bucks are hurting from a lack of size, so Noel can prove to be an immediate impact player.
Milwaukee lacks shot-blocking outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Last year’s championship run, along with the absence of Lopez this season, has shown they are better running when Giannis is at center or alongside Bobby Portis than with Lopez anyway.
Lopez is reportedly “progressing” and traveled with the team on their current road trip.
He will be visiting doctors in LA this week to determine when he might return this year, if at all.
The Knicks may be wary of trading for Lopez due to his current back injury, but his shooting and contract situation may be attractive.
Lopez will make about $4 million more this season ($13 mil) and next ($14 mil) than Noel but will become a free agent one year sooner in 2023, the same offseason in which the Knicks can try to sign Zion Williamson and others.